5.2 PTR Zone Preview: Isle of Giants, Isle of the Thunder King

The 5.2 PTR opened up today, and while it's still a work in progress, we have some visual previews of the new zones for you!

The Isle of Giants is a small tropical isle to the north of Kun-Lai Summit that features the new world boss, Oondasta, a troll dinosaur.

The Isle of the Thunder King is able to be explored in an incomplete scenario form. Edit: as of 1/3, these scenarios have been locked, most likely to fix some bugs. This is the location for the new 5.2 raid, new quest hubs featuring the Kirin Tor Offensive and Sunreaver Onslaught, a new world boss, a Lightning Forge used to craft weapons with distinctive or formerly-removed models, and a Shipyard, Main Courtyard, and Treasure Room.

Lore and I tried to run the two new scenarios available, To the Skies and Take Down This Wall!, but they were pretty buggy. We were able to explore the surroundings though and get some pictures. Edit: These scenarios have been locked on 1/3 to players, so hopefully they'll be open soon and completely fixed.

Here's what we can expect in that zone:

Blizzard

Here players can join the assault to conquer Emperor Lei Shen's island stronghold, unlock new questlines and daily quest hubs, participate in special events, earn the right to visit the fabled Treasure Room, lay claim an arsenal of powerful Mogu artifacts for their faction, and more.

Each faction's finest are spearheading the assault: the Kirin-Tor Offensive led by Jaina Proudmoore and the Sunreaver Onslaught led by Lor'themar Theron. Earning reputation with these new factions offers heroes the opportunity to receive new quests and reputation rewards, including powerful items and an intimidating new mount.

After both the Alliance and the Horde have eked out a foothold on the isle, players can choose to perform quests that are PvE or PvP focused. PvP quests will direct players against opposing faction NPCs, but slaying opposing players will grant credit as well.

As the heroes conquer the Isle, they will unlock the powerful Lightning Forge, which will allow Blacksmiths to forge mighty raid-worthy items, as well as classic weapons from the past.

Players on the PTR can teleport to the Isle of the Thunder King at their faction shrines in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. While the Isle of the Thunder King will be unlocked progressively by each realm based on participation in the war effort, initially only some of the Isle’s features will be unlocked. Future updates will include the Shipyard and the Main Courtyard. Some features, including the Treasure Room, will not yet be available.

After the Isle of the Thunder King has been conquered, the gate guardian of the Thunder King's citadel will appear: Nalak, the Storm Lord. Players will frequently have the opportunity to test their mettle against him.

Comments

Comment by wargh0st

It looks really good! And Theron is finally getting some more screen time. Has always been the dullest leader to me.

Comment by Elladaryn

on 2013-01-02T16:54:49-06:00

Bring me a new Kirin Tor tabard!

Comment by Lolus

on 2013-01-02T17:03:19-06:00

LEGO Dinos (TM). Didn't expect to see the thunder king on first day, thought he'd be a secret until the end but he looks pretty normal

Comment by Docralph

on 2013-01-02T17:33:34-06:00

I really really hope its not daily central again ... so tired of them.

Comment by Zoeteklem

on 2013-01-02T17:42:25-06:00

Wonder if they doing something like Dark Iron Ore, Black Forge and the Black Anvil? Pretty neat if so!

Comment by zharshoul

on 2013-01-02T17:43:16-06:00

remember theron was the one who piloted the mecha

Comment by Rainemard

on 2013-01-02T17:50:11-06:00

I don't know... I was kinda hoping the Isle of Giants would be well, more Giant. I mean, Oondasta's area takes up a significant portion of the zone, and from the pictures, the rest of the zone seems somewhat sparse. Certainly not the lushly forested Un'Goro or Sholazar I was hoping for.

Definitely excited for another Quel'Danas, but i'm one of those weird people that enjoys questing, dailies, and storyline.

Comment by TomatoSauce

on 2013-01-02T17:54:26-06:00

Sweet.

Comment by TimeTrap

on 2013-01-02T17:59:05-06:00

intimidating new mount.

Is all I got from that.

Comment by kellbyb

on 2013-01-02T19:06:59-06:00

a Lightning Forge used to craft unobtainable weapons

used to craft unobtainable weapons

craft unobtainable weapons

That doesn't make any sense.

Comment by Butterbuns

on 2013-01-02T19:52:06-06:00

Which part of that makes no sense? It's used to craft stuff you can't get in game anymore.

Comment by Wirxaw

on 2013-01-02T20:02:24-06:00

LEGO Dinos (TM). Didn't expect to see the thunder king on first day, thought he'd be a secret until the end but he looks pretty normal

Ra-den will likely be a secret, although I believe dataminers will get him too, much like they do with everything. But it's not much of a mystery - go play Mortal Kombat, and you will know the heroic-only boss.

Comment by perculia

on 2013-01-02T20:02:32-06:00

Modified that to sound a little clearer :)

The Forge looks completely awesome, I am impressed. Hoping we get some epic designs from the weapons!

Comment by Soeroah

on 2013-01-02T20:08:21-06:00

I really really hope its not daily central again ... so tired of them.

Hate to burst your bubble but "new daily hub" is literally the description given to the Isle in the patch notes.

Comment by Anudalah

on 2013-01-02T21:32:52-06:00

Finally the Blood Elves do something other than their hair.

Comment by ZeroEdgeir

on 2013-01-02T23:36:58-06:00

Finally the Blood Elves do something other than their hair.

If you did the questline with the Dominance Offensive, they had ALOT of involvement. I was very impressed with the focus they got, it definitely pushed them forward into the limelight for the Horde. Lor'themar Theron is becoming an excellent character right now.

Comment by Xapps

on 2013-01-03T01:17:59-06:00

Time to level Blacksmithing again -p-

Comment by retrovertigo

on 2013-01-03T04:14:41-06:00

Looks very cool, just hope the spawn timer on the world bosses is a bit shorter this time. Looking forward to the daily questline!